re: I'm going to Cebu City, Philippines next March

I'm heading to Cebu on Wednesday, short trip for me though since I live in Guam. I'll report some good stuff.

quote:

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Taipei, Japan

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Not flaming, just noting that you'll make both the Taiwanese and the Japanese mad with this misunderstanding of Asian geography.

They've got a history, as they say.



and have a great time, my brother lived in Cebu for a year way back.

Good place and peeps according to him.

Okay....am I looking at this right? All times would be local time.



-11:05 pm departure from LAX on Thursday, March 9
-5:35 am arrival in TPE on Saturday, March 11
-Depart TPE at 6:15 am and arrive in Cebu at 9:15 am on Saturday, March 11




Return:
-Depart Cebu at 11:05 am and arrive at 2pm on Saturday, March 18
-Depart TPE at 7:20 pm on Saturday, March 18 and arrive to LAX at 3:50 pm on Saturday, March 18.


Basically, I am trying to book out of LAX but need to coordinate my flights to/from LAX.

Nothing useful to add as far as travel, but I dated a first generation American Filipina for three years. Congrats on the marriage, but when I take my first trip over there it will have to be a guys trip. The ex always swore that pulling poon for a white guy in the Phillipines is the easiest things in the world, as long as you can watch out for the trannies.

No lie, true story: One of her friends hit up my best friend on facebook. This girl (once a guy) was absolutely freaking gorgeous. No way you would have ever thought she used to be a man. After finding this out, I let my best friend continue to talk to her. Her family was supposedly the richest family in Lapu Lapu. I had to break the news to him when she was offering to fly him over there to see her. The look on his face was absolutely priceless. Will try and find pics to update.

I imagine you'll have to get your bags. Lots of airlines have been dropping their agreements to pass along luggage, even to partners.

I don't check bags ever, even internationally, so I don't deal with this stuff.

Ok, good trip. Like other posters have said, good people, good food.

Some tips:


- Make sure taxis turn on meters. It is a 3rd world country; they will try anything to earn extra money.

Ayala Mall in Cebu Business Park is georgeous. I even went condo shopping there. A penthouse will run you a little over 400K...comparable to many major US cities where a similar set up (condo, business area) would cost you 2Mil and up.

If you eat pork get the Lechon. I like Zubachon's version (it's in central city)

Best places to stay:
Marriot in Central Business Park, Marco Polo Hotel (on the hill), and Best Western Plus Lex Cebu (don't let the best western name fool you...this place is phenomenal)

I'll answer any questions

Update if anyone cares..I ended up booking the flight with EVA Air from LAX and it came to about $690 per person then got a roundtrip to/from LAX on American for about $290 so ended up coming up just under $1k for each ticket.

4 hour layover in LAX to allow for delays from NOLA and having to get baggage and reenter through security. 5 hr layover in Taiwan on departure day and an overnight layover in LAX on the way back.

Can't remember if I mentioned it but the groom asked me to be the best man and of course I said yes. No traditional reception but the entire bridal party is heading to Bantayan Island after the wedding for a week and staying at the Anika Island Resort (rooms are like $40/night )







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